tahoe regional planning agency

Annual Firefest returns to Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
September 21, 2019 - 10:00am

Fire Fest is returning to the South Shore on Saturday, September 21, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the back of Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. Admission is free and it's a great opportunity for families to have fun while learning about safety and conservation.

Helicopters will be the stars this year as they land just outside the venue at the Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. What an incredible opportunity to get a close-up look at these amazing machines! Crews will be on hand to answer questions and explain how they help us when we need them most.

Safety at Round Hill Pines Resort entrance focus of upcoming public meeting

Event Date: 
September 25, 2019 - 5:00pm

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Safety for visitors entering and exiting the Round Hill Pines Resort from U50 is the focus of a second public meeting on a project currently in the Environmental Assessment stage. The purpose of the project is to increase safety and improve accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, and bicycles entering and exiting the popular resort. HIghway planner say the major issues in the area are limited sight distance, unprotected turning movements across US50 and vehicle queuing in the eastbound inside lane of US50 during peak visitation periods

Highway 50 and Sierra Boulevard projects heading into final weeks

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With summer over and the October 15 deadline for grading projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin, contractors are working to wrap up work on Sierra Boulevard and Highway 50.

Closure of Echo Summit may be closer to mid-October

9.6.19 Update: At this time Echo Summit will be closed for 14 days starting on October 18, 2019.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to a delay in receiving needed supplies, the Caltrans contractor working on the US 50 Echo Summit Sidehill Viaduct project will be moving their expected full road closure date.

Caltrans today told the South Lake Tahoe City Council it is looking more like mid-October for their closing the artery between the lake and Sacramento for up to 14 days. They said the actual closure date is still a moving target.

Keith Klein ~ 1941 - 2019

Keith Karl Klein, age 78, died peacefully at his home in South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, surrounded by his wife and close friends, following a recent diagnosis of cancer.

New partnership created to "Keep Tahoe Bears Wild"

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Tahoe Basin is bear country and natural resource and law enforcement agencies are working diligently to remind residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal when living in or visiting bear country. To help spread the message, a new website has been launched, TahoeBears.org, where residents and visitors can go to learn everything they need to know about living, visiting and playing responsibly in bear country.

Public comment sought at South Lake Tahoe US 50 Main Street Open House

Event Date: 
August 27, 2019 - 5:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The next public US Highway 50 Main Street Management Plan open house will be held on Tuesday, August 27 at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel Tallac Room from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The event will consist of a series of informational stations where residents can give input on the planning stages of this transformational project. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) are seeking comments as different options for the design of the corridor come into focus.

Passionate commitment to keeping Lake Tahoe clear, clean and protected

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For 23 years political leaders from the White House to state capitols have professed their commitment to protecting Lake Tahoe.

At the first Lake Tahoe Summit on July 27, 1997, then-President Bill Clinton and Vice-President Al Gore told of their commitment to keeping Tahoe blue after decades of erosion from roads, increased emissions from automobiles and boats, removal of wetlands and overgrown and dying forests were threatening its clarity.

Letter: City needs to hold onto their leverage in Loop Road housing proposal

When is low-income housing developed by a Transportation Agency? This seemingly simple question is looming before our City Council and has been pushed back to the next City Council meeting. It is, in fact, the first domino in the efforts of the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to move forward with the Loop Road II Project.

Two affordable housing companies interested in South Lake Tahoe projects

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Memo of Understanding (MOU) to show the cooperative and constructive intent to build affordable housing between the City of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Transportation District, Pacific Development Group and United Housing Corporation was to be voted on during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Boating on Lake Tahoe: There’s an app for that!

STATELINE, Nev. – With 72 miles of shoreline and a massive surface area of 191 square miles, navigating Lake Tahoe can be challenging. This summer, there's a new way for boaters to navigate Lake Tahoe's waters. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and its partners launched a new Tahoe Boating app to inform boaters and paddlers about Lake Tahoe, no-wake zone boundaries, area attractions, and how to enjoy the lake safely and responsibly.

Boaters and paddlers can download the free Tahoe Boating app from either the Apple or Android stores or at tahoeboating.org.

10th annual Sample the Sierra highlights regional food, wine and art

Event Date: 
September 14, 2019 - 12:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sample the Sierra, South Lake Tahoe’s farm-to-fork festival, will celebrate its tenth anniversary of regional foods, wines, beers and spirits at Bijou Community Park in South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Flags lowered to half-staff in honor of former South Lake Tahoe Mayor Keith Klein

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Flags are flying in South Lake Tahoe at half-staff in honor of former City of South Lake Tahoe Mayor Keith Klein who has passed away.

A noted local architect Klein served on City Council from 1986-1994 and was mayor in 1992. Klein was also involved in the beginnings of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

“He was so much more than a mayor, he was an amazing young man who did so much for the city and asked for nothing in return,” said Former Mayor Del Laine, “He looked for solutions, always had good ideas, and was always honest.”

Wildfire weather is here. Are you prepared for power shutoffs?

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – As we move into the warmest and driest days of summer and early fall, the threat of catastrophic wildfire increases throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. High winds, low relative humidity, and dry vegetation are a dangerous combination. When dangerous fire weather is forecasted, the National Weather Service may issue a Red Flag Warning.

South Lake Tahoe family fights planned cell tower next to their home

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - "This is a nightmare," says life-long South Lake Tahoe resident Monica Eisenstecken.

Her summer has been filled with preparing to fight the South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission's decision in June to allow Verizon to place a 112’ monopine cell tower next door to the home her dad built (it could go as high as 123' with a ten percent change allowed).

Family Science Day in Kings Beach with free activities, fun, and games

Event Date: 
August 3, 2019 - 1:00pm

Everyone is invited to spend a day learning about Lake Tahoe’s unique natural environment, ecology, and conservation from area experts. Family Science Day takes place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at North Shore’s Kings Beach State Recreation Area.

Column: Epic collaboration makes the impossible, possible

We’ve finally settled into a spectacular Tahoe summer. Like a shooting star, summer is fleeting, with the Fourth of July already in our review mirror. With all the outdoor recreation that summer affords us here at Lake Tahoe, here’s one more experience worth noting.

If you’re looking for a stunningly beautiful bike ride or a perfect pathway on which to take a walk, the new East Shore Tahoe Trail is unparalleled. Dignitaries recently gathered to celebrate the trail’s grand opening at the end of June. The path is a three-mile link between the south end of Incline Village and Sand Harbor.

What could addition of Accessory Dwelling Units mean for South Lake Tahoe?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Perhaps you know of them as mother-in-law units, tiny houses in the backyard or an extra apartment above a garage for renters. The term Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) has become a popular one in describing these types of housing as the affordable housing conversation turns towards solutions.

From the California Department of Housing and Community Development:

What are the benefits of ADUs?
- ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they do not require paying for land, major new infrastructure, structured parking, or elevators.

Chamber TREK to Downtown Carson City to see their main street transformation

Event Date: 
July 16, 2019 - 12:00pm

The community is invited to join the Tahoe Chamber in their visit to Carson City on July 16 from noon to 5:00 p.m. to explore how Carson City leaders and community members successfully transformed and revitalized their downtown main street.

The developing Main Street Management Plan for South Lake Tahoe parallels much of what Carson City did, and those going on the trek will have the chance to learn about the history of Nevada project and how the current business climate of the area has improved since the highway realignment.

The three-mile long Tahoe East Shore Trail opens to bikes and pedestrians

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The Tahoe East Shore Trail at Lake Tahoe is now open to non-motorized bicycle and foot traffic. The Nevada Department of Transportation and Tahoe Transportation District, along with their partners in the project, celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon the three-mile path between southern Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park.

20,000 miles pedaled during Lake Tahoe Bike Challenge

During the first two weeks of June, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition teamed up to lead the 14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge. 285 people took the challenge and biked 20,420 miles at Lake Tahoe.

The basin-wide challenge is a friendly competition that encourages individuals and teams to track trips and miles on their bikes. Starting June 1 and running through June 14, Tahoe Basin bikers prevented an estimated 6,945 pounds of carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere.

Column: Wildfires happen. Is your community prepared?

Welcome to summer! The solstice officially arrived Friday at 8:54 a.m., welcoming in the longest day of the year. As the snowpack melts away, and the lake fills above rim, we enter the warm and dry months that we relish after winter. As Lake Tahoe’s landscape begins to dry out, wildfire danger will grow.

Our respite from the seasonal dangers of wildfire here in the basin is coming to an end. With temperatures climbing, relative humidity lowering, and afternoon winds blowing across the lake, the basin will become susceptible to wildfire.

South Lake Tahoe's SnowGlobe: "It’s a great event, it's in the wrong location"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted Tuesday to give SnowGlobe a new five-year contract with the criteria that organizers must be working on locating a new location for the event at the end of two years.

If they do not have a good plan in place after those first two years the City could terminate the contract.

Public meetings to discuss control of aquatic invasive weeds in the Tahoe Keys

Event Date: 
June 25, 2019 - 5:00pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.- The problem of aquatic invasive weeds and nuisance plants in the Tahoe Keys continues to grow, even with the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) investing time and money to control the problem. The aquatic invasive species (AIS) continue to spread and the costs continue to grow.

NV Energy and Liberty Utilities outline wildfire mitigation plans for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With electrical transmission lines found to be at fault in recent California fires, agencies responsible for supplying electricity to communities have been creating plans to prevent fires in the future.

Both companies that supply power to Lake Tahoe, NV Energy and Liberty Utilities, have announced new mitigation efforts to reduce the risk of fire.

Sunken sailboat to be removed from Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you've been near the shore of South Lake Tahoe at Regan Beach at any time since fall you've most likely seen a partially sunken sailboat sitting just offshore. The boat's mast and wet sails have been sticking up through the water, an eyesore to many trying to take photos of the scenic view, a topic of conversation to others trying to figure out what happened.

Summer 2019 edition of Tahoe In Depth now available

STATELINE, Nev. – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has published the summer 2019 edition of Tahoe In Depth. The award-winning newspaper, in its seventh year of publication, strives to provide residents, visitors, and policymakers with information about protecting, enjoying and exploring the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Bike Rodeo in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 8, 2019 - 7:00pm

The Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra in conjunction with the El Dorado County Sheriff's office, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, Lake Valley Fire Department, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Highway Patrol, Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and Blue Zone Sports will be hosting a bike rodeo at South Tahoe Middle School on Saturday June 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Having a voice in the Lake Tahoe Main Street Management Plan

STATELINE, Nev. - Dozens of residents from both sides of the state line on the South Shore attended the Main Street Management Plan workshop Wednesday to participate in planning the future of Lake Tahoe Boulevard from Pioneer Trail/Raley's area to MontBleu.

Public invited to US50 Main Street Management Plan Open House

Event Date: 
May 29, 2019 - 5:30pm

The next phase of the Highway 50 South Shore Community Revitalization Project (SSCRP) begins with an open house on its Main Street Management Plan on Wednesday, May 29 at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) office from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome to drop in any time.

SSCRP, commonly referred to as the Loop Road Project, will include seven more key components to be completed by the TRPA and Tahoe Transportation District (TTD). The first of those components is the Main Street Management Plan.

14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge June 1-14

It appears Mother Nature will be offering some great biking weather for the hundreds of participants in the 14th annual Tahoe Bike Challenge June 1 - 14. The two-week basin-wide event is a team-based challenge to encourage everyone to ride and experience the benefits and joys of cycling.

The event is co-sponsored by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition/

Responsible tourism topic of annual Lake Tahoe forum

Event Date: 
May 30, 2019 - 8:00am

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - What is sustainable tourism and what does it mean for Lake Tahoe?

The future of Tahoe tourism needs to be sustainable. This year’s Annual Tourism Forum will address this global concern on a local level on Thursday, May 30 at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Responsible tourism is something all businesses in the Lake Tahoe basin are working towards and this year’s forum will explore that theme. The forum will include a main keynote speaker, two general sessions, and breakout sessions designed to get a closer look at four key topics.

Annual Lake Tahoe report: 10.5 more feet of clarity in 2018

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - What a difference a year can make! In 2018, the annual test of Lake Tahoe's clarity value made a drastic change and improved to 70.9 feet. This is 10.5 more feet than was seen in 2017.

In the release of their annual report, the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) in Incline Village said a return to more normal weather and streamflow conditions was responsible for this change.

Emerald Bay boulder incident draws $50,000 fine for contractor and Caltrans

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - All involved parties reached a settlement today concerning the May 2018 boulder rolling incident at Emerald Bay. At that time, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) received a complaint about the contractors hired to build a retaining wall at Emerald Bay on SR89. In that complaint, a video was provided that showed equipment pushing a large boulder over the edge of the road as crews cheered. As the boulder rolled it took out or damaged several trees, including a majestic Sugar Pine.

28th annual “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride” around Lake Tahoe June 2

Event Date: 
June 2, 2019 (All day)

Over 3,000 bicycle enthusiasts will be riding the 72 miles around Lake Tahoe on Sunday, June 2 as they participate in the 28th annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride.

Keep Tahoe Bears Wild - Practice proper food storage and trash disposal

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Lake Tahoe natural resource and law enforcement agencies remind residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal at all times while in bear country. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears can result in unwanted bear behaviors, increased human-bear conflicts, and public safety issues, as well as fines and possible jail time for violators. Each year law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat or are damaging property. In some cases, the bear must be euthanized.

Not all fire is bad fire - Creating healthy forests around Lake Tahoe

The following is the second in a series of stories on being a community that is prepared for wildfire.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Vegetation fires are natural and were normal before policies were created to suppress them for fear of uncontrollable and destructive wildfires as seen in the late 1800s. When some of the first residents arrived in Lake Tahoe between the Gold Rush and Silver Strike, it was common to see just six-seven Jeffrey Pines per acre. Trees in the Tahoe Basin were clear cut to provide the lumber for building mines under Virginia City.

Lake Tahoe recognized as global sustainable destination

STATELINE, Nevada – The Sustainable Destinations Top 100 program recognized Lake Tahoe as a global sustainable destination at a tourism trade show in Berlin, Germany this spring.

City of South Lake Tahoe newsletter: At Lake Level

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Manager Frank Rush writes a community monthly newsletter and shares it on South Tahoe Now. The following is the May 1, 2019 edition:

Sign Up for the Brand New City Newsletter

19th annual Snapshot Day to unveil conditions in Lake Tahoe and Truckee River

For the past 18 years, volunteers have been monitoring water quality conditions across the Lake Tahoe and Truckee River watersheds, collecting data at a single point in time to better understand the area as a whole. It is a bi-state collaborative that can achieve a larger watershed approach to successful data collection.

On May 17 and 18, 2019, volunteers will once again head out and perform a variety of tests including temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, algae, and nitrogen.

New entrance/exit for Round Hill Pines being planned

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Anyone passing by the entrance to Round Hill Pines on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe during the summer months knows the traffic and safety issues created by drivers turning into the popular beachfront resort.

On Tuesday night there was a public meeting held to gather ideas on a solution to the ingress and egress issues the road has along Highway 50 in this area. Representatives from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), US Forest Service, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA) were on hand to lead the discussion.

Lake Spirit Awards highlight ways to protect Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nevada – Five people were recognized at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) meeting Wednesday for their commitment to protecting and enhancing Lake Tahoe’s unique natural environment.

Since 2011, TRPA has awarded the Lake Spirit Awards to individuals from both the North and South Shores who are either citizens or agency representatives/environmental scientists.

Building trails, promoting climate change awareness, organizing beach cleanups, and preserving cultural resources are some of the ways this year’s award winners show their dedication to Lake Tahoe.

Public comment sought on USFS-Liberty Utilities plan to thin forests around power lines

Liberty Utilities and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) are working together on a proposal to reduce the risk of unwanted wildfires on approximately 6,300 acres of forest in the Lake Tahoe Basin along 55 miles of power line corridors.

The Liberty Utilities Resilience Corridors Project would help create healthier and more resilient forests while reducing the risk of unwanted wildfires that could ignite either from vegetation coming in contact with utility infrastructure or failures of infrastructure.

Column: Shoreline Plan making progress

More than a billion people in nearly 200 countries will come together to celebrate and support environmental protection during Earth Day events this April.

This year’s international Earth Day celebration begins the countdown to Earth Day 2020, the 50th anniversary of the event that helped launch the environmental movement and opened the doors to critical U.S. environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.

TRPA: What's new for the 2019 Lake Tahoe boating season

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – New boating safety programs are coming online at Lake Tahoe this summer, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

Additional enforcement of no-wake zones and excessive boat noise under TRPA’s Shoreline Program are two measures being taken to protect the lake and non-motorized watercraft and swimmers. Boat inspections fees are also being adjusted for the first time in seven years to better safeguard the lake from aquatic invasive species, and sticker fees now include a $12 fee as part of the Shoreline Program.

Mooring permitting underway in Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif – New online permitting options are available for mooring permits at Lake Tahoe. The Lake Tahoe Shoreline Plan approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in 2018 requires lakefront property owners, homeowners’ associations, and marinas to register all existing boat moorings, including buoys, boatlifts, and boat slips.

City of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Wellness Cooperative reach settlement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An agreement has been reached between the City of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Wellness Cooperative (TWC) after over two years of court proceedings between the two.

During the closed session portion of Tuesday's City Council meeting, the four councilmembers allowed to participate voted unanimously to accept the signed agreement between the City and TWC. Councilmember Cody Bass had to recuse himself from voting since he is the owner and president of TWC.

Area voters to decide new State Senator on Tuesday

On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, voters will be selecting their new District 1 State Senator, a vacancy created when Ted Gaines won a seat on the state Board of Equalization in November.

District 1 spans California’s northeastern corner from the Oregon border to Lake Tahoe, including some of the Sacramento area’s eastern suburbs. Residents living in Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou Counties are in District 1 as well as parts of Placer County (Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Loomis, and Rocklin) and Sacramento County (Folsom, Orangevale, and Fair Oaks).

Column: Fees benefit water quality and trails

While it still feels like winter, with a healthy snowpack and ski resorts reporting record monthly snowfall in February, another building season is fast approaching. One of the questions people ask the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency each year is why they have to pay mitigation fees for their development, like new homes and remodeling projects.

Letter: The Loop Road – A bad kitchen remodel

On March 14th, the City of South Lake Tahoe held a public meeting to discuss the already approved plan to re-route Hwy 50 through a bunch of small businesses and a whole neighborhood, around the backside of Harrah’s where half of the existing Loop Road now sits. This plan was concocted by the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) with little input from the community and the near absence of participation by our former City Leaders.

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